Brewing Material Container for a Beverage Brewer

ABSTRACT

A brewing material container for a beverage brewer includes a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle is configured to receive and hold beverage brewing material and to be placed in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer, and includes a base, and a sidewall extending from the base and terminating in an open end. The lid is configured to engage with the open end of the sidewall to at least partially cover the open end. The lid includes a number of lid openings configured to receive a corresponding respective number of injection nozzles of the beverage brewer. The receptacle base and/or the receptacle sidewall includes a receptacle opening configured to allow fluid flow from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of the receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/855,776, which was filed on Dec. 27, 2017; which in turn was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,398,which was filed on Oct. 23, 2017, and a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/960,496, which was filed on Dec. 4, 2010;which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/777,831, which was filed on Jul. 13, 2007, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entireties. This is also relatedto U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/276,919, which was filed on May13, 2014 and issued on Sep. 12, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,756,974; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/436,667, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2012and issued on Mar. 1, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,271,597; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/436,690, which was filed on Mar. 30, 2012 andissued on Jan. 12, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,871; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/546,875, which was filed on Jul. 11, 2012 andissued on Jan. 12, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,232,872; and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Patent No. 63/094,867, filed on Oct. 21, 2020, from whichthis claims priority; the disclosures of which are incorporated hereinin their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to accessories for beverage brewers,and more particularly, relates to an adapter assembly configured toprovide operative compatibility between a beverage brewer and a beveragebrewing material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of beverage brewers, including single-serve beveragebrewers, have been developed and are popular for home brewing of coffeeand other beverages. These machines are generally designed with brewingchambers adapted to receive a small packet, pod, or cartridge of groundcoffee or other beverage brewing material. After the beverage packet isplaced in the brewing chamber, the machine injects hot water into thepacket to produce a quantity, often a single serving, of freshly brewedbeverage. Some machines have brewing chambers configured to receive podsthat are small, flattened disk-shaped filter packages of beveragematerial, while other machines are configured to accommodate larger,cup-shaped beverage filter cartridges, or cartridges having otherconfigurations.

One particular type of beverage brewer designed to accommodate abeverage filter cartridge is manufactured and sold by Keurig Inc. ofWakefield, Mass. The machine has a brewing chamber dimensioned toreceive cartridges such as those sold under the brand K-Cup®. Thesecartridges are configured in the form of a container having a permeablefilter packet containing a dry beverage medium such as ground coffeebeans, which is disposed in the interior of the container. The machinealso has upper and lower puncture needles. In operation, the upperneedle punctures the top lid of the cartridge and injects pressurizedwater through the opening onto the beverage medium while the lowerneedle punctures the bottom of the cartridge to create an outlet foroutflow of the brewed beverage. A recent model, the K-Supreme, hasmultiple upper injection needles or nozzles to provide hot water to thebrewing material.

The configuration of the brewing chamber of the above-described beveragebrewer inherently limits the use of the machine to disposablecartridges. Use of these machines results in waste in the form of adisposed cartridge for each brewed beverage. The amount of trashgenerated by users of these cartridges multiplies quickly. Anotherconsequence is that users of this machine or similar brewers designedfor similar cartridges would have to purchase a different machine tobrew beverage from pods made for other brands. The use of multiplemachines can be costly and inconvenient, and can cause inefficient useof counter space. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method formodifying beverage brewers configured for cartridges so that they canalso be used to brew beverages from off-brand pods.

Additionally, conventional automated pod brewers typically include abrewing chamber adapted to receive an individual pod. During the brewingprocess, hot water is injected into the brewing chamber across thesurface of the pod while brewed beverage is directed to flow out of anoutlet into a cup. Some brewed beverage connoisseurs believe that brewedbeverage brewed using pod brewers does not have as good flavorextraction as brewed beverage brewed by baristas who usually tamp orcompact the beverage brewing material prior to brewing. Thus, there is aneed for an improved pod brewing system.

Further, conventional automated pod brewers are not designed to brewbrewed beverage or other beverages from loose grounds. A user of such abrewer is limited in selection to the beverage brewing materialavailable for sale in pods, and beverage brewers configured forcartridges limit users to beverage brewing material available forpurchase in cartridges. Often, the selection of beverages is limited tocoffee, although tea, herbal beverages, yerba mate, and other brewedbeverages and infusions are popular and could be brewed using such amachine if an alternative to the pre-packaged cartridges would beavailable. A brewed beverage drinker who likes a brewed beverage that isonly available as loose grounds or as whole beans also cannot brew thisbrewed beverage in one of these types of brewers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a brewing material containerfor a beverage brewer includes a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle isconfigured to receive and hold beverage brewing material and to beplaced in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer, and includes a base,and a sidewall extending from the base and terminating in an open end.The lid is configured to engage with the open end of the sidewall to atleast partially cover the open end. The lid includes a number of lidopenings configured to receive a corresponding respective number ofinjection nozzles of the beverage brewer. The receptacle base and/or thereceptacle sidewall includes a receptacle opening configured to allowfluid flow from an interior of the receptacle to an exterior of thereceptacle.

The lid openings can be, for example, through-holes. The lid can alsoinclude dispersion bays arranged at the through-holes and configured toprotrude toward an interior of the receptacle when the lid engages withthe open end of the sidewall to at least partially cover the open end.The dispersion bays can be configured to protrude from a surface of theat the through-holes, and include apertures. For example, at least someof the apertures can be shaped as slots.

The receptacle can include a mesh material arranged to cover at leastthe receptacle opening.

The receptacle opening can include a base opening in the base of thereceptacle.

The receptacle opening can include a number of sidewall openings in thesidewall of the receptacle.

The receptacle can include a recessed portion in which the base and thesidewall of the receptacle are recessed inward toward an interior of thereceptacle. In the recessed portion, the base can be recessed at leastpartially toward the open end of the receptacle, and the sidewall can berecessed at least partially toward a center of the base. The recessedportion can form a protrusion into the interior of the receptacle, and acorresponding enclosure on an exterior of the receptacle. The enclosurecan be configured to receive an outflow nozzle of the beverage brewerand to isolate the outflow nozzle from the interior of the receptacle.

The receptacle can include a rim at least partially surrounding aperiphery of the open end of the sidewall.

The lid can be hingedly connected to the receptacle.

According to another aspect of the invention, a brewing materialcontainer for a beverage brewer includes holding means for receiving andholding beverage brewing material and for placement in a brewing chamberof the beverage brewer. The holding means includes base means, andsidewall means for extending from the base means and terminating in anopen end. The brewing material container also includes covering meansfor engaging with the open end of the sidewall means and at leastpartially covering the open end. The covering means includes a number ofcover receiving means for receiving a corresponding respective pluralityof injection nozzles of the beverage brewer. The base means and/or thesidewall means includes fluid flow means for allowing fluid flow from aninterior of the holding means to an exterior of the holding means.

The cover receiving means can include through-holes. The cover receivingmeans can also include dispersion means arranged at the through-holes,for protruding toward an interior of the holding means when the coveringmeans engages with the open end of the sidewall means to at leastpartially cover the open end. The dispersion means can include flowcontrol means for allowing fluid to pass through the dispersion meansand for directing flow of the fluid toward the interior of the holdingmeans.

The holding means can include screen means for covering at least thefluid flow means to allow fluid flow from the interior of the holdingmeans to the exterior of the holding means while retaining the beveragebrewing material in the interior of the holding means.

The holding means can include recessed isolation means for receiving anoutflow nozzle of the beverage brewer and for isolating the outflownozzle from the interior of the holding means. The recessed isolationmeans is defined by a portion of the holding means in which the basemeans and the sidewall means are recessed inward toward an interior ofthe holding means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an exemplary beverage brewer according to theinvention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of an exemplary beverage brewer according to theinvention.

FIG. 1C is a top view of an exemplary beverage brewer according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary beverage brewer with an open lidallowing placement of a brewing material holder according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of an exemplary beverage brewer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary filter paper cup.

FIG. 5A is a side view of an exemplary filter cup according to theinvention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an exemplary filter cup according to theinvention.

FIG. 6A shows a side view of an exemplary filter paper cup according tothe invention.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of an exemplary filter paper cup according tothe invention.

FIG. 6C shows a side view of an exemplary filter paper cup.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary filter paper cuptaken along line 80-80 of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 10A shows a side view of an exemplary filter paper cup with aseparate receptacle and paper lid according to the invention.

FIG. 10B shows a top view of an exemplary filter paper cup with aseparate receptacle and paper lid according to the invention.

FIG. 10C shows a side view of an exemplary filter paper cup.

FIG. 11A shows a top and side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 11B shows a bottom and side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a top and side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention,

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention taken along line 86-86 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a lid of an exemplary brewing material holderaccording to the invention.

FIG. 14B is a bottom view of a lid of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 15A shows a side view of an exemplary brewing material holderaccording to the invention.

FIG. 15B shows a side view of an exemplary brewing material holderaccording to the invention.

FIG. 15C shows a top view of an exemplary brewing material holderaccording to the invention.

FIG. 15D shows a bottom side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention.

FIG. 16A shows a top view of an exemplary brewing material holderaccording to the invention, with the lid removed.

FIG. 16B shows a bottom side view of an exemplary brewing materialholder according to the invention, with the lid removed.

FIG. 17A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary pod adaptorassembly according to the invention.

FIG. 17B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary receptacle of thepod adaptor assembly of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is a schematic illustration of an exemplary receptacle of thepod adaptor assembly of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary pod adaptor assemblyaccording to the invention.

FIG. 19A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary pod adaptorassembly according to the invention.

FIG. 19B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary receptacle of thepod adaptor assembly of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary pod adaptor assemblyof FIG. 19 used in combination with a beverage brewer having upper andlower puncturing devices.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary pod adaptor assemblyaccording to the invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary pod brewing chamberaccording to the invention.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24 is an isometric top view of an exemplary beverage brewingcontainer according to the invention.

FIG. 25 is an isometric bottom view of an exemplary beverage brewingcontainer according to the invention.

FIG. 26 is a top view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 28 is a side view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 29 is a side view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

FIG. 31 is a side view of an exemplary beverage brewing containeraccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ispresented for the purpose of describing one or more preferredembodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, an exemplary beverage brewer 10 includesa body 12, an opening lid 14, a lid handle 16, a water container 18, adisplay 20, controls 22, a platform 24 and a mouth 12 a. A brewedbeverage pitcher 26 can be arranged on the platform 24 inside the mouth12 a and has a pitcher lid 28. The beverage brewer 10 provides a flow ofhot water through beverage brewing material to produce a brewedbeverage. The flow of water can be heated by one of any knownmechanisms, for example, through the use of an electrical heating coilor a conductive coating on tubing carrying the water.

With reference to FIG. 2, the beverage brewer 10 lid 14 can be opened toallow placement of a brewing material holder 30 according to theinvention inside the brewing chamber of the beverage brewer 10. The lid14 includes a lid hinge 14 a and a water tube 15, which carries heatedwater into the lid 14. A pad 17 is arranged on a bottom surface of thelid 14 and presses against the brewing material holder 30 when the lid14 is closed, and in cooperation with other elements, tamps beveragebrewing material contained in the brewing material holder 30. A nozzle19 extending down from the closed lid 14 directs the flow of hot waterinto the brewing material holder 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, in general a beverage brewer 10 includes a watertank 18, a water pump 21, a heater 13, a check valve 23, and a nozzle18. The water heater 13 can include a heating coil or a resistivecoating or any other mechanism for heating water. The check valve 23limits the water pressure at the nozzle 19 by returning some of thewater flow to the water tank 18. While a water pump 21 is shown toprovide a flow of water to the nozzle 19, other mechanisms can be usedto provide a forced flow of water.

The brewing material holder can be used with a filter paper cup to holdthe beverage brewing material. A perspective view of an exemplary filterpaper cup 40′ with a folding cup lid 40 d is shown in FIG. 4. The cuplid 40 d can be folded over the rim 40 c to reduce or prevent beveragebrewing material from escaping during tamping or brewing. The lid 40 dcan also include a perforation 40 e centered on the lid 40 d to allowthe nozzle 19 to enter and/or inject the hot flow of water into thebeverage brewing material 41, but the lid 40 d need not include theperforation 40 e. The filter paper cup 40′ can be used in the beveragebrewing material containers described herein, and can be used in abeverage brewing machine having a cavity for receiving the filter papercup 40′. While the cup 40′ is preferably made from filter paper, the cupcan also be made from a reusable mesh, such as a nylon or metal mesh.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and B, an exemplary filter cup 80 includes a ring84 made a of a material sufficiently strong to hold shape while in thebrewing machine during the process of brewing a beverage. Filtermaterial 82 is attached to the ring 84. The filter cup 80 can beinsertable into the brewing material holder or directly into the brewingchamber as a replacement for the filter paper cup 40.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, and a cross-sectional view taken along line80-80 of FIG. B shown in FIG. 7, the lid 40 d of an exemplary filterpaper cup 40 can be folded over the cup 40 and sealed after loosebrewing material 41 is placed into the cup. The filter paper cup 40includes a receptacle 40 g formed from a bottom 40 b, sides 40 a, and arim (for example, and annular rim) 40 c, and a cover (or lid) 40 dconfigured to close the receptacle 40 g to hold brewing material in thefilter paper cup 40. The filter paper cup 40 can be constructed usingheat and/or moisture to form permanent folds (or pleats) 40 f in thesides 40 a and rim 40 c of the filter paper cup 40 to add strength andrigidity to the filter paper cup 40 so that the filter paper cup 40retains its shape after forming, and preferably, adhesive is applied tothe rim 40 c and/or the sides 40 a to retain the pleats and add strengthand rigidity to the filter paper cup 40. Preferably, the filter papercup 40 is constructed from heat-sealable filter paper having aheat-reacting film on at least one side, which film causes the pleats toadhere to adjacent pleats when heat is applied following forming. Thepleats in the rim 40 c are generally continuations of the pleats in thesides 40 a. The filter paper cup 40 can alternatively be corrugated toretain shape. The filter paper cup 40 thus has structure for maintaininga substantially (that is, within the ability of the paper to maintain ashape) frustoconical or cylindrical shape.

As mentioned above, the filter paper cup 40 can have, for example, afrusto-conical shape or a cylindrical shape, for example, having a basediameter D1, an inner top diameter D2, an outer top diameter (thediameter of the rim) D3, and a height H. For particular applications tobe suitable for use in a conventional brewing machine, the diameter D1can be approximately 1.25 inches, the diameter D2 can be approximately1.625 inches, the diameter D3 can be approximately 2.125 inches, and theheight H can be approximately one inch. The rim 40 c in this case istherefore approximately 0.25 inches wide, and the lid 40 d hasapproximately the same diameter D3 as the rim 40 c.

The filter paper cup 40 can be sold or otherwise provided in an emptystate for filling by a user, or as a pre-packaged single-serving (orlarger) beverage brewing material pod. When provided for filling by theuser, the filter paper cup 40 is preferably provided with the cover 40 dattached to the rim 40 c of the receptacle 40 g. For example, the filterpaper cup 40 can be made from a single piece of filter paper cut intotwo circular portions attached by a hinge 40 h, or by two separately cutpieces of filter paper attached at the hinge 40 h. The filter paper cup40 can be provided as two pieces, in which case the cover 40 d isdetached from the receptacle 40 g, but this can be more difficult touse. A user can seal the cover 40 d to the rim 40 c of the receptacle 40g, or the cover 40 d can be held to the receptacle 40 g by sandwichingthe filter paper cup 40 between a holder lid 32 a and holder body 31.When the filter paper cup 40 is sold as a ready-to-use pod containingbrewing material, the pod is generally fabricated using filter paper offtwo separate rolls as described below.

An exemplary pod holder 30 r with a tamping spring 36 and bottom tamper34, the filter paper cup 40 containing a portion of beverage brewingmaterial 41, and the holder lid 32 a ready to attach to a holder body 31a is shown in FIG. 8A, and with the holder lid attached to the holderbody with the rim of the filter paper cup sandwiched between the lid andbrewing material holder and the tamping spring and bottom tamper pushingthe filter paper cup against the lid according to the invention is shownin FIG. 8B. The rim 40 c is arranged on a top edge of the holder body 31and is sandwiched between the holder lid 32 a and body 31 a when the lid32 a is attached to the body 31 a, thereby holding the filter paper cup40 against the holder lid 32 a while a needle inserted through theholder lid 32 a will puncture the folding paper lid 40 d and inject hotwater into the filter paper cup 40. Thus the brewing material 41 can beretained in the filter paper cup 40 solely by attaching a lid 32 a ofthe pod holder 30 r to the base 31 a of the pod holder to sandwich therim 40 c of the filter paper cup 40 and the outer edge of the cover 40 dbetween the lid of the pod holder to the base of the pod holder.

The inside diameter D4 of the mouth of the pod holder 30 r can beapproximately the same size as the Diameter D2 of the filter paper cup40, for example, approximately 1.625 inches, thereby facilitating thecapture and sandwiching of the rim 40 c and edge of the cover 40 dbetween the holder lid 32 a and body 31 a. Sandwiching of the rim 40 cand edge of the cover 40 d between the holder lid 32 a and body 31 aboth seals the brewing material in the filter paper cup 40 to prevent orrestrict the escape of the brewing material from the filter paper cup 40during brewing and provides a taut cover 40 d facilitating puncturingthe cover 40 d by a needle used to inject heated water into the filterpaper cup 40 during brewing. The body 31 a can have a cylindrical orfrusto-conical shape, or any other shape that would functionadvantageously in the brewing chamber.

Another exemplary embodiment of the brewing material holder 30 s isshown in FIG. 9. The brewing material holder 30 a is similar to thebrewing material holder 30 s but omits the tamping spring 36 and bottomtamper 34.

A filter paper cup 40″ with separate receptacle 40 g″ and paper lid 40d″ is shown in FIGS. 10A-C. The filter paper cup 40″ includes thefeatures of the filter paper cup 40, except the lid 40 d″ is nothingedly attached to the receptacle 40 g″ and is a separate piece.Further, the receptacle 40 g″ can be used in the beverage brewer withoutthe lid 40 d″.

An exemplary brewing material holder 30 t with a lid 32 h is shown inFIGS. 11A and B, with a lid 32 h removed in FIG. 12, and incross-section with the lid 32 h removed, taken along line 86-86 of FIG.12, in FIG. 13. The base 31 d includes multiple side windows 350 andmultiple bottom windows 352, for example four side windows 350 andbottom windows 352. The windows 350 and 352 allow unrestricted flow froma filter material receptacle 40 g″ (see FIG. 10C) arranged inside thebase 31 d, and allow portions of the filter material receptacle 40 g″ toexpand into and through the windows 350 and 352. Alternatively, thewindows 350 and 352 can be covered with a mesh material, such as nylonor metal mesh, in which case a filter material receptacle 40 g″ is notnecessary.

An exemplary lid 32 h of the brewing material holder 30 t is shown inFIGS. 14A and B. The lid 32 h includes a round skirt 354 whichcooperates with an annular interior surface 356 of the base 31 d tosandwich the filter material receptacle 40 g″, retaining the filtermaterial receptacle 40 g″ in the base 31 d.

Additional views of the brewing material holder 30 t are shown in FIGS.15A-D, and views with the lid 32 h removed are shown in FIGS. 16A and B.The brewing material holder 30 t can be fabricated to any dimensions,such as an exemplary embodiment in which the base 31 d has a height Hbof about 1.45 inches and a base bottom diameter Db of about 1.35 inches;wall windows 350 with a height Hw of between 0.5 inches and one inch,such as about 0.72 inches measured to a peak of an arched opening, and awindow width Ww of between 0.3 inches and 0.7 inches, such as about 0.45inches.

An exemplary method for manufacturing the filter paper cups includesproviding filter paper to a machine and forming a receptacle in thefilter paper. Heat and/or steam is used to make the filter paper retainthe receptacle shape, The receptacle and the lid are then cut out. Tomanufacture a pod according to the invention, the receptacle is filledwith brewing material, which can be tamped in the receptacle. The lid ispositioned over the receptacle and the lid is attached to thereceptacle. The pod can be nitrogen flushed and sealed. Either thefilter paper cups or the completed pods can be manufactured, forexample, in printing press or assembly line style.

Although the invention is described above as placing loose beveragebrewing material in a brewing material holder, the invention can also bepracticed by placing prepackaged beverage brewing material, for examplea beverage brewing material pod, into the brewing material holder.Further, although the brewing material holder is generally described ashaving a snap-on lid, a screw-on lid can also be used, and in generalthe various elements of different embodiments described above can bemixed to provide combinations of elements that are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention.

Further, although a filter paper cup has been described, a filter cupmade of nylon mesh or metal mesh is equally suitable, and any brewingmaterial holder or combination of beverage brewer and brewing materialholder including a filter chamber that holds beverage brewing materialas described above is intended to be included within the scope of theinvention regardless of the specific filter material. Further, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the features and elements of thevarious described embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can becombined to provide various combinations, all of which combinations areintended to be included within the scope of the invention.

As discussed above, a conventional brewing cartridge includes apierceable shell and contains brewing material held in the cartridge byfilter material. An upper needle, or liquid injector probe, of thebeverage brewer penetrates the top of the shell, and a bottom needleelement, typically offset from the center, penetrates the shell frombelow when the brewing chamber is closed on the cartridge. The upperneedle enters the brewing cartridge and contacts the brewing material,whereas the lower needle pierces the shell but typically avoids contactwith the brewing material. A cartridge-style, beverage brewer sold underthe brand Keurig is configured to use a brewing cartridge sold under thebrand K-Cup. The K-Cup brewing cartridges have a frusto-conical shape, aheight of about 1¾ inches, a top rim having a diameter of about 2inches, a diameter just below the top rim of about 1.8 inches, and abase having a diameter of about 1.43 inches.

FIG. 17A illustrates a pod adaptor assembly 100 of an embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 17A, the pod adaptor assembly 100 generallyincludes a cup-shaped, that is, truncated cone-shaped, receptacle 102,and a cover 104 adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle 102. Thereceptacle 102 has a substantially circular base 106 and sidewalls 108extending upward from the base 106 to define a housing 110 having anupper opening 112. The base 106 has an interior surface 114 and anexterior surface 116, which are separated by a distance 118 so that theinterior surface 114 is elevated above the exterior surface by thedistance. Preferably, the distance 118 is between about 1 and 20 mm. Forexample, in a particular exemplary embodiment the distance is about 10mm. Although some embodiments of the pod assembly utilize a cup-shapedreceptacle, the receptacle can assume other shapes and configurationssuch as square or cylindrical without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

As also shown in FIG. 17A, a passageway 120 is formed in the base 106 ofthe receptacle 102, extending between the interior and exterior surfaces114, 116 of the base 106. The passageway 120 is configured to receive aneedle-like structure that is typically mounted in the beverage brewerto puncture the bottom of a disposable cup-shaped filter. The locationof the passageway 120 relative to the base 106 is preferably selected tomatch the relative location of the needle-like structure in the brewer.In a particular embodiment, the passageway 120 is slightly off-centerfrom the base to correspond to the location of the needle. In operation,the needle-like structure is designed to move upward toward the bottomof the base 104 of the receptacle a first distance so as to puncture thebottom of the cup-shaped filter. To prevent the needle-like structurefrom hitting against the base of the receptacle or piercing the beveragepod inside the receptacle, the passageway 120 allows the needle-likestructure to move freely without jamming against the receptacle or thepod. The passageway 120 also serves the purpose of providing an outletfor brewed beverage to flow out of the receptacle into a drinking orserving vessel. In one embodiment, the passageway 120 is substantiallycircular and has a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 10 mm.

As FIG. 17A further shows, a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions 122are formed across the interior surface 114 of the base. The protrusions122 collectively provide a plurality of spaced-apart raised surfaces forthe pod to rest against. When the pod is placed inside the receptacleand is resting against the protrusions, the gaps between the pod and theinterior surface 114 of the base allow brewed beverage to flowunobstructed from the pod down through the passageway 120. In oneimplementation, the protrusions can be configured in the manner shown inFIG. 17B. As shown in FIG. 17B, the protrusions 122 comprise a pluralityof circular and oval-shaped protrusions extending upward from the lowersurface 114 of the receptacle 102. In some implementations, a pluralityof ribs 122 are also arranged to extend outwardly from an interior sidesurface 123 of the receptacle 102.

As also shown in FIG. 17A, the cover 104 of the assembly 100 has acircular configuration and a seal 124 sized to sealingly engage thecover 104 to the receptacle opening 112 in a manner known in the art.The cover 104 has an opening 126 configured to accommodate a liquidinlet probe or other inlet port from the brewer. The liquid inlet probeis typically used to pierce the cup-shaped filter cartridge andintroduce pressurized hot water into the cartridge. In certainembodiments, the cover 104 also has a circular recessed section 128disposed concentrically around the opening 126. The circular recessedsection 128 is adapted to mate with a correspondingly shaped circularprotrusion formed on the brewer. The cover 104 includes a rim resting ona top edge of the receptacle 102 at the top of the sidewall 108. In someembodiments, the rim extends radially beyond the top edge.

In certain embodiments, the assembly 100 further includes a lockingmechanism adapted to lock the cover in place relative to the receptacle.FIG. 17C illustrates one example of such locking mechanism. As shown inFIG. 17C, a plurality of notches 126 are formed in the interior rim ofthe receptacle. The notches 126 are configured to engage with matingprotrusions 130 formed on an interior rim 132 of the cover 104. When thecover 104 is positioned over the opening of the receptacle 102, theprotrusions 130 on the interior rim 132 of the cover preferably slidablyengage with the notch so as to lock the cover in place. It will beappreciated that other locking mechanisms known in the art can also beused to lock the cover in place.

FIG. 18 illustrates a pod adaptor assembly 200 of another embodiment ofthe invention. The pod adaptor assembly 200 generally includes acup-shaped receptacle 202 adapted to receive a pod and a cover 204adapted to sealingly engage with the receptacle 202. The receptacle 202has a base 206 having a downwardly sloping interior surface 208supported by a plurality of legs 210. A passageway 212 extendsdownwardly from the exterior surface 214 of the base. The passageway 212is adapted to guide and allow the needle-like structure from the brewerto extend upward without hitting against the receptacle or piercing thepod inside the receptacle. The passageway 212 also permits outflow ofthe brewed beverage from the receptacle. In one embodiment, thepassageway 212 has a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 1 mmto 20 mm. The location of the passageway 212 relative to the base 206 ispreferably selected to correspond to the location of the upward-movingneedle in the brewer. In one embodiment, the passageway 212 is offset byabout 1-5 mm from the center of the base. As also shown in FIG. 18, thecover 204 of the assembly 200 has an opening 216 formed therethrough,which is adapted to allow insertion of a liquid inlet probe from thebrewer.

FIG. 19A is a schematic illustration of a pod adaptor assembly 300 ofanother embodiment of the invention. The pod adaptor assembly 300generally includes a receptacle 302 and a cover 304 adapted to sealinglyengage with the receptacle 302. The receptacle 302 has a substantiallycircular base 306 and sidewalls 308 extending upward from the base 306defining a housing 310 having an upper opening 312. The base 306 has anannular raised portion 314 extending upward from a lower surface 316 ofthe base and an opening 324 formed in a portion of the base that is notraised. The raised portion 314 provides a raised support surface 318 fora pod 320 so that the pod 320 does not contact and possibly block theopening 324 for brewed beverage to flow through. Preferably, the lowersurface of the pod 320 is also elevated from the opening 324 by adistance 328 that is calculated to accommodate the upward extension ofthe puncture needle in the brewer during operation. In one embodiment,the distance 328 is between about 5 to 20 mm. In certain embodiments, aplurality of spaced-apart protrusions 330 are formed on the raisedsupport surface 318, the protrusions 330 providing upward support forthe pod 320. The gaps between the protrusions facilitate flow of brewedbeverage from the pod toward the opening 324.

FIG. 19B illustrates radially-extending protrusions 330 of oneimplementation for the receptacle 300 of FIG. 19A. As shown in FIG. 19B,the protrusions 330 comprise a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposedon an interior side wall 331 and both the raised and non-raised interiorsurface portions 318. As also shown in FIG. 19B, the opening 324 islocated at an offset from the center of the base of the receptacle. Thelocation is selected to correspond to the location of the punctureneedle when the assembly is placed in the brewing chamber of the brewer.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of the pod adaptor assembly of FIG.3A used in conjunction with a single-serving beverage brewer in brewinga beverage pod. As shown in FIG. 4, the pod adaptor assembly 300 isplaced in a brewing chamber 400 of a single-serving brewer 402 known inthe art and configured for brewing cup-shaped filter cartridges. In oneembodiment, the single-serving brewer 402 is sold under the brandKeurig. As also shown in FIG. 20, a beverage pod 404, preferablycontaining beverage brewing material, is positioned inside thereceptacle 302 of the assembly 100. The pod 402 preferably fits snuglyinside the receptacle 302 and rests against the protrusion 330. Inoperation, a lower puncture needle 406 of the brewer extends upwardthrough the passageway 116 of the receptacle 102. As described above,the lower puncture needle 406 is designed to extend upward and puncturethe bottom of a cup-shaped cartridge that is normally inside the brewingchamber. To adapt the brewer 402 for use in brewing beverage pods thatdo not need to be punctured, the opening 324 in the base of thereceptacle allows the puncture needle 406 to extend into the receptacleand the distance 328 between the opening 324 and the pod 404 isdimensioned such that the puncture needle 406 does not contact andpierce the pod 404. The distance advantageously provides an offset thataccommodates the upward movement of lower puncture needle 406 withoutpiercing the pod or damaging the needle. As also shown in FIG. 20, aliquid inlet probe 408 is extended downwardly through an opening 332formed in the cover 304 of the assembly 300. In some embodiments, thepod 404 is positioned such that the liquid inlet probe 408 punctures thepod 404. In other embodiments, the pod 404 is positioned such that theliquid inlet probe 408 does not puncture the pod.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of the podadaptor assembly 500 of the invention, showing a cross-section of theassembly when used with a beverage pod 502. The pod adaptor assembly 500includes a receptacle 504 and a cover 506 adapted to sealingly engagewith the receptacle 504. The assembly 500 further includes a biasingmechanism 512 adapted to elevate and press the pod 502 against the cover506 when the cover is sealingly engaged with the receptacle 504. In oneimplementation, the pressure applied against the pod advantageouslycompacts the beverage brewing material in the pod which has a similareffect as tamping the beverage brewing material. In certain embodiments,the assembly has an inlet 508 for introducing pressurized hot water intothe receptacle and an outlet 510 for allowing outflow of brewedbeverage. In one implementation as shown in FIG. 21, the inlet 508 is anopening formed in the cover 506 that is also adapted to receive a liquidinlet probe, which is part of a single-serving beverage brewers designedfor cup-shaped cartridges. Also in the implementation shown in FIG. 21,the outlet 510 includes an opening formed in the base of the receptacleto allow for outflow of brewed beverage from the receptacle as well asunobstructed upward extension of a puncture needle that is part ofcertain single-serving beverage brewers designed for cup-shapedcartridges. By pressing the pod up against the cover, the pod is alsopressed up against the inlet 508 through which hot water flows into thechamber. This advantageously “traps” the hot water in the pod for alonger period of time and produces a stronger and more consistent brewedbeverage. In addition to being an adaptor assembly for cup-shapedbrewers, the receptacle having a biasing device as shown in FIG. 21 canalso serve as a brewing chamber for pod brewers.

In one embodiment, the biasing mechanism 512 is a spring positionedinside the receptacle and extending upward from the base. Theflexibility of the spring is advantageous because it provides anadjustable support surface that can accommodate and apply pressureagainst pods of a variety of different sizes. In cases of thicker orlarger pods, the spring can be simply compressed more to accommodate thepods. The spring can push the pods of different thicknesses and sizes upagainst the hot water being introduced into the receptacle. It will alsobe appreciated that a variety of different biasing mechanisms can alsobe used to press the pod against the inlet hot water. For example, thebiasing mechanism can be a spring attached to the interior of the cover.As described above, pushing the pod against the hot water inlet compactsthe beverage brewing material and also causes much less water to escapefrom the pod during the brewing process. As a result, a much strongerand consistent cup of brewed beverage is produced.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a pod brewing chamber 600 of anembodiment of the invention incorporating the novel biasing mechanism.The pod brewing chamber 600 includes a cup-shaped housing 602 and acover 604. Preferably, the housing 602 is sized to receive a circularbeverage pod. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the housing 602 hasa height of about 44.5 mm, a lower diameter of about 35 mm and an upperdiameter of about 45.5 mm. As also shown in FIG. 22, the brewing chamber600 further includes a spring 606 extending upward from the bottom ofthe housing and a platform 608 attached to the upper end of the spring606. In one implementation, the platform 608 includes a circular supporthaving ribs arranged in a spaced-apart configuration across the uppersurface of the platform 608. In operation, a beverage brewing materialpod is inserted into the housing by being placed on the platform 608 andpressed downwardly until the pod is inside the housing and the cover 604can be placed over the opening of the housing. As also shown in FIG. 22,the cover 604 has an opening 612 through which hot water can be injectedinto the housing. The brewing chamber further includes a lower opening614 for brewed beverage to flow out of the chamber.

The unique concept of providing a biasing mechanism to press a beveragebrewing material pod against the hot water inlet in a pod brewer can beapplied to a variety of different beverage brewing systems. Preferably,when the spring is fully compressed, the force applied to a pod ispreferably about 1.5 lb. The pressure range exerted against the pod canpreferably range between 0 and 1.5 lbs. Thus, for example, a large podwill have more pressure exerted on it than a smaller pod, because thespring is compressed more. Moreover, the cross-section of the platformis preferably smaller than the diameter of the bottom so it can travelup and down the cup-shaped housing. In certain embodiments, the platformserves two functions by preventing the needle in certain single beveragebrewers from perforating the pod from the bottom and also by pushing thepod evenly against the hot water inlet so when brewing the brewedbeverage produced is consistent.

As described above, the pressure applied against the pod by the biasingmechanism compacts the beverage brewing material and serves the functionof tamping the beverage brewing material. Thus, less beverage brewingmaterial is required to be packaged in a pod to brew a cup of brewedbeverage using the pod adapter of the invention. It will be appreciatedthat the biasing mechanism can also be incorporated in any of the podadaptor assemblies described herein. The pod adaptor assembly of theinvention can be made of a variety of different materials, includingmetal and plastics.

It should be apparent to those of skill in the art that the variousembodiments of the invention as described herein can be used with loosegrounds held by an open pouch made of water-permeable material. Such apouch can be filled with beverage brewing material of the user's choiceand inserted into the pod adapter in place of a pod as described above.The water-permeable pouch can include a lid made of like material,either provided separately or hingedly attached to the pouch.Alternatively, the pod adapter can include a screen over the loweropening, or on the sidewall, so that loose grounds can be placeddirectly into the pod adapter for brewing, without the need for a pod orwater-permeable pouch.

In summary, a beverage brewing container according to the invention isconfigured to replace a brewing cartridge in a brewing chamber of abeverage brewer, and preferably is made of material that allows it to bereusable. The container is positionable within the brewing chamber andis configured to hold brewing material while brewed by the beveragebrewer. Depending on the particular embodiment or the needs of the user,the brewing material can be sealed in a pod, can be loosely placed in apouch made of water-permeable material, or can be placed directly intothe beverage brewing container. The brewing material can be beveragebrewing material, or any other material, ground or otherwise, that canbe used to produce a beverage by flowing a liquid through it.

The beverage brewing container includes a receptacle configured toreceive and support the brewing material, and a cover. The receptacleincludes a passageway, a base, and at least one sidewall. Thepassageway, for example, can be arranged in the base of the receptacle,but can be arranged in the sidewall instead, or in addition if more thanone passageway is advantageous. The passageway provides fluidcommunication between an interior of the receptacle and the brewingchamber, that is, allows the brewed beverage to flow from the containerinto the brewing chamber of the beverage brewer. The passageway can havea serpentine arrangement, or can be wholly unobstructed, to providedirect flow.

The base of the receptacle has an interior surface and an exteriorsurface and is configured to avoid contact with the needle-likestructure of the beverage brewer. The at least one sidewall extendsupward from the interior surface of the base and is also configured toavoid contact with the needle-like structure. The cover is adapted tosealingly engage with a top edge of the at least one sidewall andincludes an opening. Thus, the container can accept input fluid throughthe opening in the cover to allow the beverage material to be brewed,and can provide the corresponding outflow of fluid through thepassageway. Because contact with the needle-like structure of thebeverage brewer is avoided, the outflow substantially avoids theneedle-like structure, which would normally accept the outflow. Byavoiding the needle, the outflow can proceed elsewhere into the brewingchamber or directly into a mug or other vessel used to serve thebeverage.

As shown in FIG. 23, the receptacle 700 can also include an extension701 extending from the exterior surface of the base such that at least aportion of the base is raised a predetermined distance above the brewingchamber when the lower end of the extension 701 is in contact with thebrewing chamber. As shown, the extension 701 can extend from a peripheryof the base. Alternatively, or in addition, an extension 702 can extendfrom an interior portion of the base. In the latter case, the extensioncan include one or more apertures 703 at least partially covered by ascreen material. This would allow loose grounds to be placed directly inthe receptacle 700 for brewing, without the need for a pod orwater-permeable pouch. The apertured extension 702 can be included asthe passageway described above, or can be included in addition to thepassageway, to provide an additional avenue for beverage outflow. Withor without the extension, the passageway likewise can include a screen704, to allow for brewing of loose grounds.

In addition to or in place of the inner extension 702 and/or thepassageway 704, at least one portion of the sidewall 705 can include anaperture 706 that is at least partially covered by a screen material.This would allow for outflow from the receptacle 700 for a beveragebrewed from loose grounds.

The cover 707 can include a perforated bay 708 extending into thereceptacle from the opening of the cover. The inflow fluid receivedthrough the bay 708 is dispersed onto the grounds in a manner that woulddepend in part on the character of the perforations in the bay 708. Forexample, the perforations shown in FIG. 23 are thin apertures arrangedin a longitudinal direction with respect to the length of the bay 708.However, it is contemplated that circumferential apertures, round holes,or any other manner of perforation can be advantageously used.

With reference to FIGS. 24-31, an exemplary beverage brewing container801 according to the invention is configured to be disposed within abrewing chamber of a beverage brewer and to hold brewing material whilebrewed by the beverage brewer. The container 801 includes a receptacle802 configured to receive the brewing material, and a lid 803. Thereceptacle 802 includes a base 804, and at least one sidewall 805extending from the base and terminating in an open end preferably havinga rim 806.

The receptacle 802 is configured to hold beverage brewing materialduring the brewing, process in order to brew a beverage. In order toprovide fluid communication from an interior of the receptacle 802 to anexterior of the receptacle 802 (such as into a brewing chamber ordirectly into a serving or drinking container), either the sidewall 805or the base 804 or both can have openings to allow brewed beverage topass out of the receptacle 802. These openings can be covered in a mesh,screen, or other liquid-permeable material configured to retain thebrewing material while allowing liquid to pass through. For example, thesidewall 805 can include one or more sidewall openings 807, and/or thebase 804 can include one or more base openings 808. The base 804 and/orsidewall 805 can also include a recessed enclosure 809 that isconfigured to accommodate and isolate an outflow nozzle or needle of thebrewing machine, preventing outflow from the receptacle 802 through theoutflow needle, which is kept outside of the receptacle 802. Of course,instead of the recessed enclosure 809, any accommodation for the outflownozzle or needle of the brewing machine, such as those described above,can be provided instead.

The lid 803 is configured to engage with the rim 806 to close off theopen end of the sidewall 805. The lid 803 includes one or more openings810 that are configured to accommodate the injection nozzle(s) orneedle(s) providing water to the receptacle 802. These openings 810 canbe simple through-holes, or can include apertured, for example slotted,dispersion bays as shown, configured to disperse the received water, orcan have any other configuration that accommodates the injection nozzlesand provides the water to the interior of the receptacle 802. The lid802 can be hingedly attached to the receptacle 802 as shown in theexemplary embodiment, or can be attached in some other manner, or can becompletely detachable as a separate element.

Five such openings are shown in the exemplary embodiment, but theopenings 810 can be provided in any number, so as to be suitable for usewith brewing machines having any number of injection nozzles. Also, theopenings 810 can have uniform configurations, or can be configureddifferently to accommodate different configurations of injection nozzlesor to provide different dispersion profiles into the beverage brewingmaterial, for example by having bays that have different sizes,different shapes, and/or different aperture configurations. For example,the exemplary embodiment shown includes a larger opening 810 a and foursmaller openings 810 b, configured as dispersion bays. In thisconfiguration, one opening 810 a is larger and includes a larger bay andtherefore can accommodate a larger main injection nozzle, and the otheropenings 810 b can accommodate smaller injection nozzles. One or more ofthe openings or bays can be provided that are wide enough to accommodatemore than one injection nozzle if desired, or a single opening or baycan be provided that is wide enough to accommodate all of the injectionnozzles. Alternatively, and entire portion of the lid can be recessed toaccommodate multiple injection nozzles, or all of the injection nozzles,and the recess can include one or more openings or bays arranged so asto control the dispersion of water onto the brewing material regardlessof the geometrical arrangement of the injection nozzles.

Thus, the container 801 is configured to accept input fluid through theopening(s) 810 and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid throughthe sidewall opening(s) 807 and/or base opening(s) 808, while avoiding alower needle of the beverage brewer.

The lid 803 can also include a closure element 811, for exampleconfigured to latch at a contour 812 in the rim 806, in order to securethe lid during the brewing process. The lid 803 can also include a seal813 configured to engage the rim in a fluid-tight manner.

In use, beverage brewing material can be placed in the receptacle 802,the lid 803 can be closed over the open end of the receptacle 802 ontothe rim 806, and the container 801 can be placed into the chamber of abeverage brewer. When the brewer is actuated, injection needles ornozzles will be received by one or more of the lid openings 810 and willinject water into the interior of the receptacle 802, either directly orthrough dispersion protrusions or bays, where it will wet and soak thebeverage brewing material to brew a beverage. The recessed enclosure 809or other configuration will prevent an outflow of the brewed beveragethrough the outflow needle or nozzle of the brewer, and the beveragewill instead flow out through the base opening(s) 808 and/or sidewallopening(s) 807 and eventually into a drinking or serving container.

The invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that theinvention is not strictly limited to the particularly disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, various modifications, as well as similararrangements, are included within the spirit and scope of the invention.The scope of the appended claims, therefore, should be accorded thebroadest possible interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and similar arrangements.

I claim:
 1. A brewing material container for a beverage brewer,comprising: a receptacle configured to receive and hold beverage brewingmaterial and to be placed in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer;and a lid; wherein the receptacle includes a base, and a sidewallextending from the base and terminating in an open end; wherein the lidis configured to engage with the open end of the sidewall to at leastpartially cover the open end; wherein the lid includes a plurality oflid openings configured to receive a corresponding respective pluralityof injection nozzles of the beverage brewer; and wherein at least one ofthe receptacle base and the receptacle sidewall includes a receptacleopening configured to allow fluid flow from an interior of thereceptacle to an exterior of the receptacle.
 2. The container of claim1, wherein the lid openings are through-holes.
 3. The container of claim2, wherein the lid further includes dispersion bays arranged at thethrough-holes and configured to protrude toward an interior of thereceptacle when the lid engages with the open end of the sidewall to atleast partially cover the open end.
 4. The container of claim 3, whereinthe dispersion bays are configured to protrude from a surface of the atthe through-holes, and include apertures.
 5. The container of claim 4,wherein at least some of the apertures are shaped as slots.
 6. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a mesh materialarranged to cover at least the receptacle opening.
 7. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the receptacle opening includes a base opening in thebase of the receptacle.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein thereceptacle opening includes a plurality of sidewall openings in thesidewall of the receptacle.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein thereceptacle includes a recessed portion in which the base and thesidewall of the receptacle are recessed inward toward an interior of thereceptacle.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein, in the recessedportion, the base is recessed at least partially toward the open end ofthe receptacle, and the sidewall is recessed at least partially toward acenter of the base.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein the recessedportion forms a protrusion into the interior of the receptacle, and acorresponding enclosure on an exterior of the receptacle.
 12. Thecontainer of claim 11, wherein the enclosure is configured to receive anoutflow nozzle of the beverage brewer and to isolate the outflow nozzlefrom the interior of the receptacle.
 13. The container of claim 1,wherein the receptacle includes a rim at least partially surrounding aperiphery of the open end of the sidewall.
 14. The container of claim 1,wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the receptacle.
 15. A brewingmaterial container for a beverage brewer, comprising: holding means forreceiving and holding beverage brewing material and for placement in abrewing chamber of the beverage brewer, wherein the holding meansincludes base means, and sidewall means for extending from the basemeans and terminating in an open end; and covering means for engagingwith the open end of the sidewall means and at least partially coveringthe open end; wherein the covering means includes a plurality of coverreceiving means for receiving a corresponding respective plurality ofinjection nozzles of the beverage brewer; and wherein at least one ofthe base means and the sidewall means includes fluid flow means forallowing fluid flow from an interior of the holding means to an exteriorof the holding means.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the coverreceiving means include through-holes.
 17. The container of claim 16,wherein the cover receiving means further include dispersion meansarranged at the through-holes, for protruding toward an interior of theholding means when the covering means engages with the open end of thesidewall means to at least partially cover the open end.
 18. Thecontainer of claim 17, wherein the dispersion means include flow controlmeans for allowing fluid to pass through the dispersion means and fordirecting flow of the fluid toward the interior of the holding means.19. The container of claim 15, wherein the holding means includes screenmeans for covering at least the fluid flow means to allow fluid flowfrom the interior of the holding means to the exterior of the holdingmeans while retaining the beverage brewing material in the interior ofthe holding means.
 20. The container of claim 15, wherein the holdingmeans includes recessed isolation means for receiving an outflow nozzleof the beverage brewer and for isolating the outflow nozzle from theinterior of the holding means, wherein the recessed isolation means isdefined by a portion of the holding means in which the base means andthe sidewall means are recessed inward toward an interior of the holdingmeans.